Music

Music

We have a lively and exciting Music Department at The Becket School with a wide variety of activities available to students in and out of the classroom. Students who play an instrument or sing are encouraged to join one or more of our ensembles, which rehearse weekly and perform regularly at our own school concerts and external functions. So if you want to sing a solo or maybe just play second triangle in the school band then we have a place for you!

At The Becket School we are pleased to offer a wide range of musical tuition opportunities to all students within the school and within our feeder primaries so that there is continuity from keystage 2 to 3. Our instrumentalists and vocalists benefit from expert tuition provided by both our own peripatetic music teachers and the County Music Service across all the instrumental families. Every student has the chance to take up an instrument or singing lessons and get involved with the extra-curricular musical life of the school.

All students in receipt of school instrumental lessons are expected to take part in at least one extra-curricular activity. Over recent years the extra-curricular musical programme has developed greatly. We have added more ensembles for the students to participate in, catering for all tastes. The extra-curricular programme now breaks down into ability levels helping all students to access the different styles of musical ensembles at their level.

Key Stage 3

Yr7 Assessment

Yr8 Assessment

Key Stage 4

Yr11 Assessment

Key Stage 5

Key Stage 3

At Key stage 3 we have a varied and interesting music curriculum, which covers topics such as Instruments of the Orchestra, Rhythm and Pulse, Protest Songs and Blues amongst many others. Students are also taught how to use a range of music technology programmes in our iMac suite. Students have the opportunity to perform, compose and appraise a wide range of music, which allows them to improve and increase their knowledge in the subject. This continues into our GCSE and A level provision, which opens up even more possibilities for students to improve their performance, critical listening and composition skills.

Key Stage 4

Music

What do students study in lessons?Lessons are made up of both practical elements, where students work on individual and ensemble performing and composing, and theoretical elements, where they look at different genres of music such as dance and film music. Students have the opportunity to use the Apple Mac suite to develop their use of music technology and recording skills as well as using PC Music composition software.

Assessment

GCSE Music combines academic and practical music where performance and composition work count for 60% of the final mark and the historical listening and appraising examination counts for 40% of the final marks.

Music from the Western Classical tradition that has been used in films

Music that has been written as a soundtrack for a video game.

Area of Study 5 Conventions of Pop

Rock ‘n’ Roll of the 1950s and 1960s

Rock Anthems of the 1970s and 1980s

Pop Ballads of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s

Solo Artists from the 1990s to the present day.

All work is recorded in school prior to the examination, with the composition and performance assignment being moderated externally. The Listening examination is assessed by an examiner.

Music Technology

What do students study in lessons?Students gain an understanding of how the different parts of the music industry operate by investigating relevant organisations and job roles. Students learn about the importance of health and safety when working with a range of electronic equipment. They learn about the specification and operation of computer systems and software that are designed for music applications and they develop their skills using our Apple Mac suite.

Assessment

BTECs are practical and focus on the skills and knowledge needed in the workplace. BTEC First learners are expected to take responsibility for their own learning and be keen.

The areas of study are:

The Music Industry – assessed by multiple choice terminal examination

Managing a Music Product – coursework

Introducing Music Recording – coursework

Introducing Music Sequencing – coursework

BTECs are continually assessed with at least one unit being moderated externally.

Yr11 Assessment

Please click the link below to access the Music Personal Learner Checklist:

Key Stage 5

AS and A2 (Exam Board: AQA)

What do students study in lessons?

Studying at this level will enable you to develop further the skills learnt at GCSE or BTEC. The music industry is thriving, and the skills you learn in AS and A level Music could help you join this industry, as well as many other industries not directly linked to music. In recent years Becket students have gained Oxbridge places and gone on to study medicine as well as Conservatoires and Universities. A level Music shows employers that you have persevered at developing a skill over a long term, a good trait to possess in the world of work.

What Skills Do You Need?

It is preferable for students to have taken GCSE or BTEC Music before studying Music at AS and A level and have achieved a grade C or above. However, if you play an instrument well (at least to grade 5 standard), are a fluent reader of notation and have a good grounding in Music theory, then you may be able to take Music at this level.

The Course

You will follow the AQA Examination Board syllabus in Music. Both AS and A Level Music is broken into three units: Performing, Composing, and Appraising Music.

AS Level Music:

Unit 1: Appraising Music(40% of AS).

This unit concerns listening to music and understanding how it works. Listening, analysis and contextual understanding. It has three sections, covering assessment objectives AO3 (knowledge and understanding) and AO4 (evaluative and critical judgements) Written exam: 2 hours – externally assessed by AQA. Exam paper includes listening and written questions using excerpts of music and studying a range of set pieces.

Section A – listening (49 marks)

Section B – analysis (17 marks)

Section C – contextual understanding (30 marks)

Unit 2: Performance(30% of the AS)

Consists of a 6–8 minute performance in which students can perform as a soloist and/or as part of an ensemble and/or music production (via technology). The performance is recorded by Becket staff towards the end of the course and externally assessed by AQA.

Unit 3: Composition(30% of the AS)

Composition, covering assessment objective AO2. Each student must compose two compositions. Combined composition time must last four and a half minutes minimum and six minutes maximum. Students may prepare and print their score using computer software or they may provide a handwritten copy. Externally assessed by AQA

Composition 1: composing to a brief (25 marks).

Composition 2: free composition (25 marks).

A LEVEL MUSIC:

Unit 1: Appraising Music(40% of A-level)

This unit concerns listening to music and understanding how it works.

Listening, analysis and contextual understanding. It has three sections, covering assessment objectives AO3 (knowledge and understanding) and AO4 (evaluative and critical judgements). Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes – Externally assessed by AQA . Exam paper includes listening and written questions using excerpts of music and studying a range of set pieces.

Section A – listening (60 marks)

Section B – analysis (30 marks)

Section C – contextual understanding (30 marks)

Unit 2: Performance(35% of the A level)

Consists of one 10–12 minute extended performance. Students offer a programme of music, performing as a soloist and/or as part of an ensemble and/or music production (via technology) The performance is recorded by Becket staff and externally assessed by AQA.